DENCE BETWEEN WASHING- 
ND JEWISH CITIZENS. 

. ATION OF JEWS TO OUR 
ONAL MONUMENTS. 



/ 



.WIS ABRAHAM, 

Washington, D. C. 



tions of the american jewish historical 
Society, No. 3, 1895. 



CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN WASHINGTON 
AND JEWISH CITIZENS. 

By Lewis Abraham, Washington, D. C. 

The number of Israelites in this country prior to the 
Declaration of Independence was not large, but there is 
undoubted evidence that they were staunch supporters of the 
Colonies in their efforts to secure severance from foreign yoke. 

When Washington had concluded his labors in the field of 
war and had attained deserved civic honors, and laurels 
from all quarters were being showered upon him, the 
Hebrews joined their fellow-citizens in felicitating the hero 
and statesman. 

The following correspondence is gathered from the United 
States Gazette of 1790 ; a partial file of this paper can be 
found in the Congressional Library. It is strange that the 
letters are not all to be found in books in which the Wash- 
ington correspondence is compiled. 

The original letter addressed to the " Beth Elohim " con- 
gregation of Charleston, South Carolina, was carefully pre- 
served among the many other valuable records of that city, 
but was destroyed by the great fire of 1838. His Honor 
the Mayor endeavored to obtain a copy from the depart- 
ment of the general government, but after a thorough exami- 
nation of the records no such document could be found, and 
after a prolonged search the undersigned was written to and 
supplied the missing letter.* 

* See Fear Book of the City of Charleston for 1884, p. 280. 



88 American Jewish Historical Society. 

The Address feom the Hebrew Congregation or 
the City of Savannah, Georgia, which was pre- 
sented to Washington, the first President of thi 
United States, by Mr. Jackson, one of the Rep- 
resentatives from Georgia. 

"Sir: — We have long been anxious of congratulating you 
on your appointment, by unanimous approbation, to the 
presidential dignity of this country, and of testifying our 
unbounded confidence in your integrity and unblemished 
virtue. Yet however exalted the station you now fill, it is 
still not equal to the merit of your heroic services through 
an arduous and dangerous conflict, which has embosomed you 
in the hearts of her citizens. 

Our eccentric situation, added to a diffidence founded on 
the most profound respect, has thus long prevented our 
address, yet the delay has realized anticipation, given us an 
opportunity of presenting our grateful acknowledgments for 
the benediction of heaven through the magnanimity of federal 
influence and the equity of your administration. 

Your unexampled liberality and extensive philanthropy 
have dispelled that cloud of bigotry and superstition which 
has long as a vail shaded religion — unrivetted the fetters of 
enthusiasm — enfranchised us with all the privileges and 
immunities of free citizens, and initiated us into the grand 
mass of legislative mechanism. By example you have taught 
us to endure the ravages of war with manly fortitude, and 
to enjoy the blessings of peace with reverence to the Deity 
and benignity and love to our fellow-creatures. 

May the Great Author of the world grant you all happi- 
ness — an uninterrupted series of health — addition of years 
to the number of your days, and a continuance of guardian- 
ship to that freedom which under auspices of heaven your 
magnanimity and wisdom have given these States. 

Levi Sheftal, President. 
In behalf of the Hebrew Congregations." 



Washington and Jewish Citizens — Abraham. 89 

To which the President was pleased to return the following: 

ANSWER. — To the Hebrew Congregations of the 
City of Savannah, Georgia.* 

itlemen : — I thank you with great sincerity for your 
congratulations on my appointment to the office which I 
have the honor to hold by the unanimous choice of my 
fellow-citizens, and especially the expressions you are pleased 
to use in testifying the confidence that is reposed in me by 
your congregations. 

As the delay which has naturally intervened between my 
election and your address has afforded me an opportunity for 
appreciating the merits of the Federal Government and for 
communicating your sentiments of its administration, I have 
rather to express my satisfaction rather than regret at a cir- 
cumstance which demonstrates (upon experiment) your 
attachment to the former as well as approbation of the latter. 

I rejoice that a spirit of liberality and philanthropy is much 
more prevalent than it formerly was among the enlightened 
nations of the earth, and that your brethren will benefit thereby 
in proportion as it shall become still more extensive ; happily 
the people of the United States have in many instances exhibi- 
ted examples worthy of imitation, the salutary influence of 
which will doubtless extend much farther if gratefully enjoy- 
ing those blessings of peace which (under the favor of heaven) 
have been attained by fortitude in war, they shall conduct 
themselves with reverence to the Deity and charity toward 
their fellow-creatures. 

May the same wonder-working Deity, who long since deliv- 
ered the Hebrews from their Egyptian oppressors, planted 
them in a promised land, whose providential agency has lately 
been conspicuous in establishing these United States as an inde- 
pendc \t lation, still continue to water them with the dews of 
heaven and make the inhabitants of every denomination par- 

*This reply is printed in Jared Sparks' Collection, vol. XII, p. 



90 American Jewish Historical Society. 

ticipate in the temporal and spiritual blessings of that people 
whose God is Jehovah. G. Washington/' 



Address of the Newport Congregation to the 
President of the United States of America. 

"Sir : — Permit the children of the stock of Abraham to 
approach you with the most cordial affection and esteem t 
your person and merit, and to join with our fellow-citizens 
in welcoming you to Newport. 

With pleasure we reflect on those days of difficulty rw' 
danger when the God of Israel, who delivered David lr > . 
the peril of the sword, shielded your head in the day of 
battle; and we rejoice to think that the same spirit wb' 
rested in the bosom of the greatly beloved Daniel, enatb 
him to preside over the provinces of the Babylonian Empire, 
rests and ever will rest upon you, enabling you to dis- 
charge the arduous duties of the Chief Magistrate of these- 
States. 

Deprived as we hitherto have been of the invaluable rights 
of free citizens, we now — with a deep sense of gratitude 
the Almighty Disposer of all events — behold a governiae 
erected by the majesty of the people — a government which 
bigotry gives no sanction, to persecution no assistance, b 
generously affording to all liberty of conscience and imm 
nities of citizenship, deeming every one of whatever nation, 
tongue or language, equal parts of the great governmental 
machine. 

This so ample and extensive Federal Union, whose base 
is philanthropy, mutual confidence and public virtue 
cannot but acknowledge to be the work of the great God who 
rules in the armies of the heavens and among the inhabit;! i 
of the earth, doing whatever seemeth to Him good. 

For all the blessings of civil and religious liberty which we 
enjoy under an equal and benign administration, we desir 
to send up our thanks to the Ancient of days, the great 



Washington and Jeivish Citizens — Abraham. 91 

Preserver of men, beseeching Him that the angels who 
conducted our forefathers through the wilderness into the 
promised land may graciously conduct you through all the 
aifficulties and dangers of this mortal life ; and when, like 
1 oshua, full of days and full of honors, you are gathered to 
i^our fathers, may you be admitted into the heavenly 
..^adise to partake of the water of life and the tree of 
immortality. 

Done and signed by order of the Hebrew Congregation in 
Newport, Rhode Island. Moses Seixas, Warden. 

Newport, August 17, 1790." 

Washington's Reply to the Hebrew Congregation 
in Newport, Rhode Island. 

Ci Gentlemen: — While I received with much satisfaction 
your address replete with expressions of esteem, I rejoice in 
the opportunity of assuring you that I shall always retain 
grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced 
on my visit to Newport from all classes of citizens. 

The reflection on the days of difficulty and danger which 
jo past is rendered the more sweet from a consciousness 
that they are succeeded by days of uncommon prosperity and 
security. 

If we have wisdom to make the best use of the advantages 
vith which we are now favored, we cannot fail, under the 
just administration of a good government, to become a great 
ad happy people. 
The citizens of the United States of America have a right 
to applaud themselves for having given to mankind exam- 
ples of an enlarged and liberal policy — a policy worthy of 
imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immu- 
nities of citizenship. 

It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it 

rere the indulgence of one class of people that another 

enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights, for, 

L'ppily, the Government of the United States, which gives 



92 American Jewish Historical Society. 

to bigotry no factions, to persecution no assistance, requires 
only that they who live under its protection should demean 
themselves as good citizens in giving it on all occasions their 
effectual support. 

It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character 
not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of 
my administration and fervent wishes for my felicity. 

May the children of the stock of Abraham who dwell in 
this land continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the 
other inhabitants — while every one shall sit in safety under 
his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make 
him afraid. 

May the father of all mercies scatter light, and not dark- 
ness, upon our paths, and make us all in our several vocations 
useful here, and in His own due time and way everlastingly 
happy. G. Washington." 

The Address of the Hebrew Congregations in the 
Cities op Philadelphia, New York, Richmond and 
Charleston to the President op the United States. 

"Sir : — It is reserved for you to unite in affection for your 
character and person every political and religious denomina- 
tion of men; and in this will the Hebrew congregations 
aforesaid yield to no class of their fellow-citizens. 

We have hitherto been prevented by various circumstances 
peculiar to our situation from adding our congratulations to 
those which the rest of America have offered on your eleva- 
tion to the chair of the Federal Government., Deign, then, 
illustrious sir, to accept this our homage. 

The wonders which the Lord of Hosts had worked in the 
days of our forefathers have been taught us to observe the 
greatness of His wisdom and His might throughout the 
events of the late glorious revolution ; and while we humble 
ourselves at His footstool in thanksgiving and praise for the 
blessing of His deliverance, we acknowledge you, the leader 
of American armies, as His chosen and beloved servant. 



Washington and Jewish Citizens — Abraham. 93 

But not to jour sword alone is present happiness to be 
ascribed ; that, indeed, opened the way to the reign of free- 
dom ; but never was perfectly secure until your hand gave 
birth to the Federal Constitution and you renounced the joys 

:* retirement to seal by your administration in peace what 

xi had achieved in war. 

To the eternal God, who is thy refuge, we commit in our 
nrayers the care of thy precious life; and when, full of years, 
thou shalt be gathered unto thy people, thy righteousness shall 
: 3 before thee, and we shall remember, amidst our regret, 
• ;hat the Lord hath set apart the godly for himself/ whilst 
:hy name and thy virtues will remain an indelible memorial 
on our minds. Manuel Josephson, 

For and in behalf and under the authority of the several con- 
gregations aforesaid." 

To which the President was pleased to return the following : 

lXSWee. — To the Hebeew Congregations in the 
Cities of Philadelphia, New Yoek, Charleston 
and Richmond. 

" Gentlemen : — The liberality of sentiment toward each other, 
vhich marks every political and religious denomination of 
men in this country, stands unparalleled in the history of 
ations. 

The affection of such a people is a treasure beyond the 
reach of calculation, and the repeated proofs which my 
lellow-citizens have given of their attachment to me and 
approbation of my doings form the purest source of my tem- 
poral felicity. 

The affectionate expressions of your address again excite 
my gratitude and receive my warmest acknowledgment. 

The power and goodness of the Almighty, so strongly man- 
fested in the events of our late glorious revolution, and His 
lind interposition in our behalf, have been no less visible in 
he establishment of our present equal government. In war 



94 American Jewish Historical Society. 

He directed the sword, and in peace He has ruled in our 
councils. My agency in both has been guided by the be; 
intentions and a sense of duty I owe to my country. 

And as my exertions have hitherto been amply rewarde i 
by the approbation of my fellow-citizens, I shall endeavor to 
deserve a continuance of it by my future conduct. 

May the same temporal and eternal blessings which you 
implore for me, rest upon your congregations. 

G. Washington." 

Appropriate in view of the foregoing expressions of the 
father of his country to his Hebrew fellow-citizens is the fo! - 
lowing correspondence of patriots of the early days of the 
United States. 

In 1818 the Mill Street Synagogue was consecrate* ! . 
Mordecai M. Noah delivered an eloquent address on the 
occasion, and sent copies thereof to distinguished statesmen. 
Among the replies received were the following, which a; ( 
worthy of preservation : 

Copy of a Letter from Thomas Jefferson.* 

" Monticello, May 28, 1818. 
Sir: — I thank you for the discourse on the consecration G 
the Synagogue in your city, with which you have been 
pleased to favor me. I have read it with pleasure and 
instruction, having learnt from it some valuable facts in 
Jewish history which I did not know before. Your sect by 
its sufferings has furnished a remarkable proof of the uni- 
versal spirit of religious intolerance inherent in every sect, 
disclaimed by all while feeble, and practiced by all when i 
power. Our laws have applied the only antidote to this vic> 
protecting our religious, as they do our civil rights, by put 
ting all on an equal footing. But more remains to be don 

* Travels in England, France, Spain and the Barbary States in t 
Tears 1813-14 and 15. By Mordecai M. Noah; New York ai 
London, 1819. Appendix, pp. xxv and xxvi. 



Washington and Jewish Citizens — Abraham. 95 

for although we are free by the law, we are not so in practice; 
public opinion erects itself into an Inquisition, and exercises 
its office with as much fanaticism as fans the flames of an 
Auto-de-fe. 

The prejudice still scowling on your section of our religion, 
although the elder one, cannot be unfelt by yourselves ; it is 
to be hoped that individual dispositions will at length mould 
themselves to the model of the law, and consider the moral 
basis, on which all our religions rest, as the rallying point 
which unites them in a common interest ; while the peculiar 
dogmas branching from it are the exclusive concern of the 
respective sects embracing them, and no rightful subject of 
notice to any other ; public opinion needs reformation on 
that point, which would have the further happy effect of doing 
away the hypocritical maxim of ' intus et lubet, foris ut maris.'' 
Nothing, I think, would be so likely to effect this, as to your 
sect particularly, as the more careful attention to education, 
which you recommend, and which, placing its members on 
the equal and commanding benches of science, will exhibit 
them as equal objects of respect and favor. I salute you with 
great respect and esteem. 

(Signed) Thomas Jefferson. 

M. M. Noah, Esq." 

Copy of a Letter from James Madison, Esq., on the 
same subject. 

"Montpelier, May 15, 1818. 
Sir: — I have received your letter of the 6th, with the elo- 
quent discourse delivered at the consecration of the Syna- 
gogue. Having ever regarded the freedom of religious 
opinions and worship as equally belonging to every sect, 
and the secure enjoyment of it as the best human provision 
for bringing all, either into the same way of thinking, or into 
that mutual charity which is the only proper substitute, I 
observe with pleasure the view you give of the spirit in which 



96 American Jewish Historical Society. 

your sect partake of the common blessings afforded by our 
Government and laws. 

As your foreign mission took place whilst I was in 
administration, it cannot but be agreeable to me to learn 
that your accounts have been closed in a manner so favorable 
to you. 

(Signed) James Madison.'' 

Copy of a Lettee from John Adams, Esq. 

"Quincy, July 31, 1818. 

Sir: — Accept my best thanks for your polite and obliging 
favour of the 24th, and especially for the discourse inclosed. 
I know not when I have read a more liberal or more elegant 
composition. 

You have not extended your ideas of the right of private 
judgment and the liberty of conscience, both in religion and 
philosophy, farther than I do. Mine are limited only by 
morals and propriety. 

I have had occasion to be acquainted with several gentle 
men of your nation, and to transact business with some of 
them, whom I found to be men of as liberal minds, as much 
honor, probity, generosity and good breeding, as any I have 
known in any sect of religion or philosophy. 

I wish your nation may be admitted to all privileges of 
citizens in every country of the world. This country has 
done much. I wish it may do more; and annul every nar- 
row idea in religion, government, and commerce. Let the 
wits joke; the philosophers sneer! What then? It has 
pleased the Providence of the ' first cause/ the universal 
cause, that Abraham should give religion, not only to 
Hebrews, but to Christians and Mahometans, the greatest 
part of the modern civilized world. 

(Signed) John Adams." 



THE RELATION OF JEWS TO OUR NATIONAL 
MONUMENTS. 

By Lewis Abraham, Washington, D. C. 

The Statue of Jefferson in the Capitol. 

In accordance with a resolution offered by Senator Justin S. 
Morrill, of Vermont, while he was a member of the House of 
Representatives, " that each State should be permitted to 
send the effigies of two of her chosen sons, in marble or 
bronze, to be placed permanently here," the old hall is fast 
becoming an American memorial chamber. 

Several statues, purchased by the United States, have been 
deposited there, and many of the States have taken advant- 
age of the privilege and paid homage and honor to their dis- 
tinguished dead in the manner suggested by the resolution 
oi Congress. 

There is, however, one splendid work of art in the corridor 
that has a peculiar history. It was a gift to the Government. 
All others have been paid for by Congress or the several 
State Legislatures. The bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson 
by David d'Angers, a French sculptor, was presented to Con- 
gress by an Israelite, Lieutenant (afterward Commodore) 
Uriah Phillips Levy, of the United States Navy, in 1833, 
but was not formally accepted until forty years thereafter. 

Originally it stood in the rotunda, but was removed from 
there and for many years remained in the grounds in front of 
the Presidential Mansion. After its acceptance in 1874, 
upon motion of Senator Sumner, it was finally located in its 
present position. It represents the author of the Declaration 
of Independence as having just signed that instrument of 
American liberty. The pedestal is a superb piece of work, 
in four varieties of marble, executed by Struthers of Phila- 



98 American Jewish Historical Society. 

delphia. It was the first piece of statuary ever owned by the 
Government, and is dedicated by the donor to his fellow-citi- 
zens. Upon the scroll which Jefferson holds in his hand is 
engraved a verbatim copy of the Declaration of Independence, 
with copies of autographic signatures of John Hancock and 
Thomas Jefferson. The Levy family were intimate personal 
friends and great admirers of the author of our Magna 
Charta, and after his death became the owners of Monticello. 
There is a significance in the gift and in the sentiment it 
conveys, and the co-religionists of Levy point with pardon- 
able pride to the fact that this piece of statuary, symbolizing 
the grand national organic law and honoring one of the 
greatest men who contributed to erect the fabric of the temple 
of American liberty, was the free-will offering of one of their 
people. 

Bunkeb Hill Monument. 

The commemoration of the first battle-field in the Revolu- 
tionary War by a monument was made possible by a liberal 
contribution of Judah TWro. The proceedings of the com- 
mittee in charge of erecting this national memorial, in honor 
and testimony of the patriots and heroes who laid the 
foundation of the Union, contains grateful acknowledgment 
of Touro's assistance. 

The history of the monument published by George Wash- 
ington Warren contains the following acknowledgments : 
"It was confidentially communicated to the Directors by 
Mr. William Appleton that whenever the Association, in 
addition to a like offer of Mr. Lawrence, should have money 
enough within ten thousand dollars ($10,000), to finish their 
work, Judah Touro would give that sum. It was a noble 
offer, and coming from a resident of a distant State, curiosity 
was excited " (p. 283). 

Then follows a biographical sketch of this eminent citizen, 
concluding as follows : " He was one of the smallest of all 
classes into which mankind can be divided — of men who 



Jews and our National Monuments — Abraham. 99 

accumulated wealth without even doing a wrong, taking an 
advantage, or making an enemy ; who become rich without 
being avaricious ; who deny themselves the comforts of life 
that they may acquire the means of promoting the comfort 
and elevating the condition of their fellow-men." 

To complete the monument a fair was held in Boston by 
ladies in aid of the building fund, at which delegates from all 
the States attended. 

The delegation from Louisiana, however, in their capacity 
as citizens of that State, purchased at the Charleston table 
the fine model of the monument which adorned it ; and they 
caused it to be transported to New Orleans and to be placed 
in one of the public buildings in honor of Judah Touro, 
where it remained until it was destroyed, with the building, 
by fire. 

In the abstract of donations (p. 311) received from private 
sources, the gross sum is stated as $55,153.27 — of which 
Judah Touro donated $10,000. 

At a meeting of the board of directors the following reso- 
lutions were unanimously adopted : 

"Resolved, That the Directors receive the contribution of 
Mr. Touro with sentiments of deep and grateful respect, con- 
sidering as a testimonial of his regard for the principles and 
"he contest for which, and its successful issue, the monument 
is intended to commemorate, and his affectionate recollec- 
tion of the friends of his youth and the place of his early 
residence. 

Resolved, That John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, 
Joseph Story, Edward Everett and Franklin Dexter be 
appointed a committee to prepare an inscription for a tablet 
to be placed on the monument, stating the object for which it 
is erected, and recording the liberality of Judah Touro, and 
Amos Lawrence, and the successful exertions of the daughters 
f these patriots whose memory we would perpetuate — dona- 
tions and labor which have placed in the possession of the 
Directors a fund sufficient to complete the memorial of one 



100 American Jewish Historical Society. 

of the most important events in the history of our country " 
(p. 312). 

June 17th, 1843, a banquet was held in Faneuil Hall in 
celebration of the completion of the monument. Governor 
Marcus Morton, who was suffering from indisposition, was 
unable to attend. He sent a letter, which was read. The 
two great benefactors of the Association were remembered by 
the following (p. 330) : 

"Amos and Judah, venerated names, 
Patriarch and Prophet, press their equal claims, 
Like generous coursers running ' neck and neck,' 
Each aids the work by giving it a check. 
Christian and Jew, they carry out one plan, 
For though of different faith, each is in heart a man." 

Statue of Beligious Liberty, Centennial 
Celebration, 1876. 

One hundred years elapse, with their cares and joys, 
jeopardy and success, and America celebrates the centennial 
year of its existence by a grand exhibition in the city where 
is deposited the liberty bell that proclaimed the birth of the 
Republic. The massive engine that moves obedient machinery 
sings its pseans. The nimble shuttle and the agile loom weave 
chaplets and trophies. Lightning-flashes leap from fathom- 
less seas and speak with living fire congratulations of 
emperors, kings and potentates. Human handicraft from 
Occident to Orient delve and build and fuse and shape 
tributes of felicitation to the glory and honor and praise, aye, 
even worship, of the land of Washington. 

In an humble quarter of the Centennial grounds the 
Israelites of the United States, through one of their organiza- 
tions, the Sons of the Covenant, placed their homage. It is 
in the shape of a group of statuary in Carrara marble, styled 
" Religious Liberty." 

It was executed in Rome by one of their own people, 
Moses Ezekiel, a native of Richmond, Virginia. Upon the 



Jews and our National Monuments — Abraham. 101 

pedestal is no narrow sectarian inscription. The promoters 
)f this tribute felt the eloquence of the Bill of Human Rights 
which they desired to typify, and simply transcribed the 
dause of the Constitution which reads : 

CONGRESS SHALL MAKE NO LAW 

RESPECTING AN ESTABLISHMENT OF 

RELIGION, OR PROHIBITING THE 

FREE EXERCISE THEREOF. 

An eminent foreigner, a statesman of world-wide fame, 
while recently passing through Fairmount Park, earnestly 
gazed at the marble group and exclaimed : " If the Cen- 
tennial Exhibition of 1876 resulted in this work of art and 
did nothing else, the American people should be satisfied. 
, the subject of a great monarch, salute the nation that 
nakes this creation possible." 



